Structural steel punch

ABSTRACT

A structural steel beam punching apparatus comprising a frame disposed in a generally vertical plane intersecting the horizontal travel path of a structural workpiece to be punched. An aperture in the frame surrounds the travel path. Oppositely disposed punch head means overlying opposing vertical surfaces of the workpiece are slidably supported by the frame for movement toward and away from each other in a plane normal to the workpiece travel path. A pressure head means is connected with punches guided by the punch heads and slidably supported by the frame for movement toward and away from punch heads for and punching holes in the workpiece.

'United States Patent [1 Duffy [451 July 1, 1975 STRUCTURAL STEEL PUNCH[76] Inventor: Marcus L. Duffy, 3105 NW. 29,

Oklahoma City, Okla. 73107 221 Filed: Dec. 12, 1973 211 Appl. No.:424,243

Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Attorney, Agent, or Firm-RobertK. Rhea [57] ABSTRACT A structural steel beam punching apparatuscomprising a frame disposed in a generally vertical plane intersectingthe horizontal travel path of a structural workpiece to be punched. Anaperture in the frame surrounds the travel path. Oppositely disposedpunch head means overlying opposing vertical surfaces of the workpieceare slidably supported by the frame for movement toward and away fromeach other in a plane normal to the workpiece travel path. A pressurehead means is connected with punches guided by the punch heads andslidably supported by the frame for movement toward and away from punchheads for and punching holes in the workpiece.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures ug-NIH JUL 1 SHEET STRUCTURAL STEEL PUNCHBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to structural steel pro cessing machines and moreparticularly to a structural beam punch.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art such as US. Pat. Nos.1,241,254; I,24I,257 and 3,391,593 disclose punching holes in the websof structural I-beams wherein the plane of the l-beam web ishorizontally disposed in a travel path transversely intersected by thepunching machine. The machines disclosed by the above patents do notdisclose means for punching the vertically disposed flanges of thel-beam workpiece. In addition to punching holes in the I-beam web it isgenerally necessary that holes be punched or formed in the l-beamflanges. US. Pat. No. 3,572,204 discloses a hole forming apparatus forl-beams or I-I-beams which in addition to forming holes in thehorizontally disposed web discloses drilling heads arranged on opposingsides of the vertically disposed beam flanges for drilling holeshorizontally through the I-beam flanges. The principal objection to amachine of this type being the time element required for drilling holesin the vertical flanges as opposed to force punching holes in theflanges.

Beam punching machines presently in use for punching horizontallydisposed flanges of a beam have usually comprised a frame having aC-shaped portion disposed in over and underlying relation of opposingupper and lower surfaces of the respective flange so that a punch may beforced from one tip portion of the C-frame toward the die blocksupported by the other tip of the C-frame. The workpiece beam must haveits web vertically disposed when punching its flanges in this C-frametype punch. While this type of beam flange punching machine operatessatisfactorily the principal objection to it is the necessary bulk ormass of the machine, in order to withstand necessary forces appliedthereto during the punching action, precludes rotating this machine toperform a horizontal punching stroke on vertically disposed flanges of abeam.

The beam punching machine of this invention overcomes the abovedifficulties and objections by forming a beam punching frame whichtransversely intersects the travel path of a beam having its webhorizontally disposed wherein punch head assembly means movable towardand away from each other on opposite sides of the plane of the beam webpermit simultaneous punching of holes in a vertically disposed beamflange by a pressure head acting on punches supported by the punch headassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A generally rectangular and planar frame islongitudinally disposed vertically edgewise and supported in wheel andtrack fashion for transverse intersecting movement of the frame withrespect to the horizontal travel path of an l-beam workpiece having itsweb arranged in a horizontal plane supported and guided by rollers formovement through a beam admitting opening formed through the frame.Generally U-shaped punch head means is slidably supported vertically bythe frame with the leg ends of the U-shapes arranged in confrontingrelation on opposing sides of the plane of the I-beam web and onopposing sides of one of the I-beam flanges. Punch and die means issupported by each punch head means with the respective punch beingforced toward the respective die in a beam flange punching action inresponse to a frame supported pressure head connected with therespective punches and horizontally movable toward and away from theI-beam flange. Control means including pressure operated cylinders andan electrical circuit initiates and completes the punching sequence.

The principle objects of this invention are to provide: a punchingmachine for acting on the vertically disposed flanges of a beamworkpiece which will punch one or a plurality of holes with one punchingstroke of the machine in accordance with a predetermined spacing betweenthe axis of the holes being punched and the I-beam web; to punch bothflanges of an I-beam workpiece and the web thereof with one pass of thebeam through a horizontal travel path; semiautomatic control meansinitiating and completing a beam punching cycle in combination withpunch positioning gauge rods contacting a preselected surface of theI-beam workpiece; and, retracting the gauge rods from contact with theI- beam surface following one punching cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of the beam punching apparatus in operative position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the beam punching apparatus,to a larger scale;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along theline 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view, partially inelevation, taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view, to a furtherenlarged scale, taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 9 is a schematic.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Like characters of referencedesignate like parts in those figures of the drawings in which theyoccur.

In the drawings:

Referring first to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 indicates thepunching apparatus, as a whole, which is generally rectangular inoverall configuration. The device 10 includes a frame 12 preferablyformed from a plurality of plates assembled in laminated fashion forease in preforming slots and apertures transversely of the frame. Theframe 12 is vertically disposed edgewise and mounted by wheels orrollers 14 on tracks 16, either or both being provided with levelingscrews, not shown, for horizontal movement of the frame transversely ofthe horizontal travel path of a workpiece to be described later.

Between its top and bottom edge surfaces 18 and 20 and toward its endsurface 22, the frame 12 is provided with a generally horizontal opening24 whie'll comm unicates through a narrow portion or lhififll fiffifi 26with a vertically elongated opening 28 fElII-ld lfiiefrnediate thelength ofthe frame. The purpose of the openings 24 and 28, which arevertically substantially equal, and the throat opening 26 is tocooperatively receive loosely a range of sizes of a structuralworkpiece, such as an I- beam 30, with the flanges 32 and 34 of the beambeing vertically disposed and extending through the frame openings 24and 28 with the web 36 of the beam horizontally disposed and projectingthrough the throat opening 26. Another purpose of the throat opening 26is to provide frame support for punch heads during a punching operationwhen disposed on opposing sides of and adjacent the beam web 36 as willbe presently explained.

The beam 30 is normally supported in a horizontal plane forming aworkpiece travel path by a beam supporting and guiding apparatus 38having vertically adjustable rollers 40 contacting the dependingsurfaces of the beam web 36 with laterally disposed rollers 42 guidinglycontacting the vertical face surface of the beam flanges 32 and 34opposite the web in a substantially conventional manner. The rollers 42are preferably spring loaded to permit a lateral movement, of thebeam30, a preselected distance during the punching action as hereinafterdescribed. Stripper plates 43, secured to opposing sides of the framemedia] the vertical length of the opening 28,' project toward the beamflange 34 w prevent lateral movement of the beam beyond a predeterminedlimit following each flange punching-action as later described.

An opening or slot 44, substantially T-shaped when viewed from the topsurface 18 of the frame, extends through the frame between its top andbottom surfaces 18 and and within its opposing vertical side surfaces inintersecting communicating relation with respect to the frame opening28. A pair of punch heads 46 and 48, each U- shaped in generalconfiguration (FIGS. 2 and 4), are slidablyreceived for verticalmovement by that portion of: the slot 44 forming the stem of the T-shapewith the leg members 50 and 52 of each punch head projecting toward eachother in confronting relation for movement toward and away from eachother. The

length of the opening, formed between the surfaces of the bight portionof the U-shape of the punch heads, when the legs thereof are disposedadjacent each other in abutting relation, being such that it is not lessthan the vertical length of the frame opening 28 for cooperativeaccommodation of the beam flange 34.

Punch means comprising a punch stem 54 is slidably supported by anopening 56 formed in each punch head leg 52 for movement of each punchstern toward and away from the other leg 50 of the punch head. Eachpunch stem is provided with a punching mandrel 58 of a size equal to thediameter of a hole it is desired to punch in the beam flange. Each punchhead leg 50 is provided with a recess 60 within which a punch die 62 issecured.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, between its outer surfaces, the frame12 is provided with a slot or opening 64, at opposing upper and lowerlimits of the throat 26, for passage of portions or plugs punched out ofthe flange by the punch mandrels 58. Each of the punch stems 54 includesa substantially rectangular head or end portion 66 opposite the mandrel58 which is slidingly supported in guiding relation by the T-shaped slot44 when the punch heads 46 and 48 are moved toward and away from eachother. Punch head movement is accomplished by a pair of pressureoperated cylinders 68 and 70 having their respective piston rodsconnected with the respective punch head 46 and 48 for positioning thepunch heads and punch means at a predetermined location with respect tothe beam flange 34 in the manner explained hereinbelow.

The frame is further provided with a transverse slot 72 between its topand bottom edge surfaces 18 and 20 open to its respective sides and endsurface 74 opposite its end 22 and intersecting the T-shaped slot 44.The slot 72 slidably receives a hammer block or pressure head 76 forhorizontal movement toward and away from the punch heads 46 and 48 by amain cylinder 78 having its piston rod 80 connected with the pressurehead. The end of the pressure head 76, opposite the piston rod 80, isprovided with a slot 82 cooperating with and forming a continuation ofthe T-shaped slot 44 bisected by the slot 72. The purpose of theT-shaped pressure head slot 82 is to cooperatively support slidably thepunch stem heads 66 and move the punch stems 54 axially toward and awayfrom the beam flange 34 in response to reciprocating movement of thepressure head in the punching action presently described.

The pressure head is drivably supported within the slot 72 by a pair ofpressure head plate 84 (FIGS. 1 and 6) secured to the pressure head 76and overlapping marginal edge surfaces defining upper and lower limitsof the pressure head slot 72, as viewed in the drawings. Pressure headguides 86, having angular surfaces cooperatively contacting the plates84, are secured to the respective opposing surfaces of the framemarginal edge portions surrounding the pressure head plates 84 and maybe adjusted by screws 88 supported by backup strips 89 for maintainingthe pressure head 76 properly aligned within its slot 72 to reducesliding friction to a minimum. Movement of the pressure head 76 towardand away from the beam 30 is controlled by limit switches S14 and 818 inthe manner presently explained.

Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, the predetermined position of the holesto be punched in the beam flange 34 is obtained by guide rods 90arranged in pairs on respective opposing sides of the frame for movementtoward and away from the beam web 36 in response to movement of thepunch heads 46 and 48. Each of the guides 90 comprises an elongatedcasing 92 longitudinally supported slidably by one or more bearings 94secured to outer side surfaces of the frame. An elongated rod 96 extendsinto the casing 92 through a bushing 98, fixed to the casing at one endand is threadedly engaged with a spacer block 100 at its other end. Thespacer block I00 is maintained longitudinally slidable within the casing92 by a set screw I02 extending through the casing wall and entering agroove 104. A bushing 106, fixed to the inner wall of the casing, andstop 108, secured to the rod 96, insures longitudinal movement of thespacer block 100 in response to angular rotation of the rod 96.Similarly, a stop 109, secured to the rod 96 inwardly of the bearing 98,prevents removal of the rod 96 from the casing 92 in a directionopposite the web 36. The spacer block removably receives axially a finger [10 held in place by a spring urged pin and having a rounded endsurface contacting the adjacent surface of the beam web 36. The rods 96are connected together at the respective top and bottom edge surface ofthe frame by cross bars 112 in turn connected to the respective punchheads 46 and 48 by a shaft 114. The end of each rod 96, at its endopposite the web 36, is coaxially connected with a sprocket- 116 forminga pair of sprockets at the top and bottom edge surfaces of the framehaving a chain 118 entrained therearound for ro tating the rods 96 ofthe respective pairs in unison. The rods 96 are longitudinally adjustedwithin their respective pairs of casings 92 to extend or retract thespacer block 100 by a manually operated hand crank 120, or the like,secured to one of the sprockets 116 at respective upper and lowersurfaces of the frame.

A stop 122, adjustably secured to at least two of the casings 92 onopposing sides of the beam web 36, respectively, engage limit switches Sand S12 to stop movement of the pressure heads 46 and 48 away from eachother in the manner presently described.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 9, control means for the apparatus10 is indicated generally at 125 comprising fluid pressure controlvalves and an electrical circuit including relays and solenoids. Atwo-way twoposition valve V1, connected with a source of fluid underpressure, not shown, is connected to the respective ends of the punchhead operating cylinder 68. Solenoids S1 and S2 are connected with therespective ends of the valve V1 for shifting the latter. An identicalvalve V2, similarly connects the ends of the cylinder 70 with a sourceof fluid under pressure. The valve V2 is operated by solenoids S3 andS4. A two-way threeposition valve V3 similarly connects a source offluid under pressure to the main cylinder 78 and is operated bysolenoids S5 and S6. A pair of three-pole relays R1 and R2 areinterconnected in a conventional manner by a bar interlock 126 forinitiating the punch cycle of the apparatus 10 and actuation of thecylinders 68 and 70 to move the punch head means 46 and 48. A secondpair of two-pole relays R3 and R4 are similarly interconnected by a barinterlock 128 for actuating the main cylinder 78 and moving the pressurehead 72 to effect the punching stroke in the manner presently explained.The interlock bar 126 permits only one of the relays R1 or R2 to beenergized at a given time.

When relay R1 is energized its armature A1 completes a holding circuitto ground with its contact C1 as presently described.

Relay R1 armature A2 is connected by a wire W1 through a normally closedswitch S7 to the solenoid S1 of the valve V1. Relay R1 armature A3 isconnected by a wire W2 through a normally closed switch S8 to thesolenoid S4 of the valve V2. Relay R2 armature A4, when closed with itscontact C4, completes a holding circuit to ground for this relay aspresently described.

Relay R2 armature A5 is connected by a wire W3 through series connectednormally closed switches S9 and 810 to the solenoid S3 of the valve V2.Armature A6 of relay R2 is similarly connected by a wire W4 throughseries connected normally closed switches S11 and $12 to the solenoid S2of the valve V1.

A source of direct current DC is connected to the circuit source wire W5through an off-on" switch S13. Another relay R5 has one end of its coilconnected by a wire W6 to a contat C7 normally closed with a limitswitch arm S14, with the other end of the switch arm S14 being connectedto the source wire W5 by a wire W7. The other end of the coil of relayR5 is grounded so that when the on-of switch S13 is closed the coil ofrelay R5 is normally energized and its armature A7 is closed with itscontact C8. Contact C8 of relay R5 is connected in series with onecontact each of a pair of pressure switches PS1 and PS2, respectively.operatively connected with and activated by fluid pressure in the tubing130 and 132 connecting the valves V1 and V2 to the punch head operatingcylinders 68 and 70. The other contact of the pressure switch PS1 isconnected to the source wire W5 by a wire W8 while the other contact ofthe pressure switch PS2 is connected to the source wire W5. Normallyopen punch head moving jog switches S15 and S16 respectively connect thewires W1 and W2 to the current source.

Armature A7 of relay R5 is connected by a wire W9 to one end of the coilof relay R3 and also to relay R3 contact C9. Relay R3 armature A8 isconnected to the wire W6 between relay R5 and switch S14. Armature A9 ofrelay R3 is connected by a wire W10 to solenoid S5 of the valve V3.Contact C10 of limit switch 814 is connected by a wire W11 to one end ofthe coil of relay R4 and to its contact C11. Relay R4 armature A10completes a holding circuit to ground when closed with contact C11 forrelay R4 as presently described. Relay R4 armature A11 is connected by awire W12 to the so lenoid S6 of the valve V3. The armature A10 isconnected by wires W13 and W14 to a normally open pressure head jogswitch S17 connected to the wire W12.

The wire W14 is also connected with a contract C12 of a limit switch S18having other contacts C13, C14 and C15. The limit switch S18 is a fourpoint-twoposition make and break push-button type and is normally closedwith its contacts C12 and C13. The source wire W5 is connected to theSwitch S18, contact C13 and to the contacts C17 and C18 of relay R4armatures A9 and A11, respectively. The limit switch S18 contact C14 isconnected with the contact C4 of relay R2 by a wire W15. The limitswitch S18 contact C15 is connected to one end of the coil of relay R2and its armature A4 by a wire W16.

The source wire W5 is connected to the relays R1 and R2 contacts C2, C3,C5 and C6 by a wire W17. A normally open switch S19 is connected betweenthe wire W16 and wire W17 for the purposes presently explained. Thesource wire W5 is connected with the ar mature of a start switch 820normally closed with its contact C19 connected with the wire W15. SwitchS20 contact C20 is connected with contact C1 of relay R1 and with oneend of the coil of relay R1. Relay R1 armature Al is connected to thewire W6 by a wire W18 and a normally open jog pressure head switch S21is connected between the wires W6 and W10.

OPERATION In operation the punching apparatus 10 and beam 30 arearranged, as shown in FIG. 1. Obviously a second identical punchingapparatus may be disposed in cooperative opposition on the opposite sideof the beam for punching both flanges of the beam. The coil of relay R5is energized through the switch S14, closing its armature A7 with itscontact C8, in response to the manual closing of the off-on" switch S13.Assuming the beam 30 is disposed in a predetermined position withrespect to the punch assemblies, the starting switch S20 is manuallyclosed momentarily with its contact C20 energizing the coil of relay R1.Relay R1 armature A1 then maintains a holding circuit until switch S14is opened as presently explained. When relay R1 is energized, current isapplied from its armatures A2 and A3 to the solenoids S1 and S4 of thepunch head operating valves V1 and V2 thus operating the cylinders 68and and moving the punch heads 46 and 48 toward each other within theframe. Simultaneously, the gauge rods 90 are being moved toward thel-beam web 36. When the gauge rod tips 110 contact the l-beam web thepunch mandrels 58 are at a predetermined location for punching holes inthe beam flange 34 and the pressure switches PS1 and PS2 close inresponse to a predetermined fluid pressure build-up in the cylindersupply lines 130 and 132 thus applying current from the supply wire W5through the armature A7 of relay R5 to energize the coil of relay R3 andclose its armatures. Armature A8 of relay R3 forms a holding circuit forthis relay from the source to ground through the switch S14 while itremains closed with its contact C7. Closing relay R3 armature A9 withits contact C17 applies current from the source wire W5 to the solenoidS5 of the pressure head valve V3 advancing the pressure head 76 towardthe l beam so that the punch mandrels 58 penetrate the l-beam flange 34.Movement of the pressure head toward the l-beam is stopped by theopening of the punch limit switch $14 from its contact C7. Actuation ofswitch arm S14 is accomplished by a stop 134 (FIGS. 1 and 2) secured tothe plate guide 86, which moves the switch arm S14 in response to apredetermined setting or location of the stop 134 with respect to theswitch. Breaking switch S14 from its contact C7 and closing with itscontact C10 de-energizes relays R1, R3 and R5 and energizes relay R4 andcloses its armatures with their respective contacts with its armatureA10 forming a holding circuit for maintaining relay R4 energized.Current is then supplied to solenoid S6 of the pressure head valve V3 byrelay R4 armature A11 which returns, i.e., moves the pressure headoutward, from the beam 30 withdrawing the punch mandrels from holesformed in the beam flange 34. Simultaneously, the arm of switch S14makes with its contact C7 energizing relay R5 as before.

The stripper plates 43 prevent lateral movement of the beam flange 34toward the pressure head as the punch mandrels are withdrawn. Movementof the pressure head away from the beam is interrupted by a stop 136,secured to one of the pressure plate guides 86, (FIGS. 1 and 2)contacting and opening the limit switch S18, contacts C12 and C13 andbridging its contacts C14 and C15. Opening contacts C12 and C13interrupts current to relay R4 which, when deenergized. stops the returnor withdrawal travel of the pressure head. Pressure head valve V3, thenshifts to its neutral position. Switch S18, bridging its contacts C14and C15, completes a circuit from the source wire W5 through the startswitch S20 closed with its contact C19 by wires W15 and W16 to energizerelay R2 which is then maintained energized by its armature A4 closedwith its contact C4. Relay R2 armatures A5 and A6 energize solenoids S2and S3 of punch head valves V1 and V2 which shifts the respective valvesand moves the respective punch heads 46 and 48 outward of the frame inopposite directions until the stop 122 (HO. 2) on the respective gaugerod 90 opens punch head outtravel limit switches S10 and S12 whichdeenergizes solenoids S2 and S3. Relays R2 and R5 remain energized whilethe beam 30 is advanced to another setting. When the arm of start switchS is again moved from its contact C19 to its contact C20 current torelay R2 is interrupted. This completes one cycle of operation.

In arranging the location of the apparatus 10 and beam 30 and fortesting purposes the jog switches S15 and S16 may be manually closedtemporarily for mov ing the punch heads toward each other, eithersimultaneously or singly. Closing switch S19, connecting wire W15 withwire W17 energizes relay R2 for moving the punch heads away from eachother in a testing sequence unless the punch heads have been previouslymoved outwardly and opened limit switches S10 and S12. Similarly, thepressure head normally open jog switches S17 and S21 may be closedindividually for moving the pressure head 76 away from or toward thel-beam, respectively.

Obviously the invention is susceptible to changes or alterations withoutdefeating its practicability, therefore, I do not wish to be confined tothe preferred embodiment shown in the drawings and described herein.

1 claim:

1. An apparatus for punching the flanges of an elongated structurall-beam having its web horizontally disposed and being arranged formovement lengthwise in a horizontal travel path, comprising:

means defining a punching station including a main frame having sidewall surfaces normal to the travel path and having a top and a bottomedge surface,

said frame extending transversely of the travel path and having atransverse aperture characterized by an intermediate throat portionpartially describing and surrounding an intermediate portion of anI-beam workpiece,

said frame having a through slot extending between its top and bottomedge surfaces and between its side wall surfaces in intersectingrelation with respect to one end portion of the transverse aperture andan adjacent portion of the aperture throat;

first and second punch head means slidably supported by said framewithin the through slot for vertical movement toward and away from eachother in a plane normal to the travel path,

said first and second punch head means comprisa U-shaped punch head bodywith the legs defining the respective U-shape projecting toward eachother on opposite sides of the horizontal plane of the l-beam web andbeing respectively disposed on opposite sides of the l-beam flange to bepunched,

one leg of each U-shaped punchhead being slidably supported, againstmovement in the same plane in a direction away from the other leg of therespective Ushape, by that portion of the through slot intersecting theaperture throat forming portion of said frame, and a gauge rodadjustably connected to and movable with each said punch head body;

punch assembly means including a punch die supported by the end portionof the leg of each said first and second punch head means disposedadjacent the web of an l-beam workpiece,

one end ofsaid gauge rod projecting toward the adjacent surface of anI-beam web disposed in the travel path for disposing the respectivepunch die a predetermined distance from a plane defining the web centerof an l-beam workpiece,

said frame having a transverse slot in one end intersecting the throughslot;

pressure head means slidably supported by said frame within thetransverse slot for horizontal movement in a direction transverse to thetravel punch assembly means further includes:

a punch slidably supported by said other leg of each said punch headbody coaxial with respect to the respective punch die for movementtoward and away from the respective said punch die in response tomovement of said pressure head toward and away from the travel path.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said pressure head isprovided with a T-shaped slot in its end portion facing the travel pathfor slidably receiving the adjacent end portion of the respective saidpunch and permitting movement of said punches into and out of theT-shaped slot in response to movement of said first and second punchhead means toward and away from the travel path.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 in which said vertically movingmeans includes:

a pair of fluid operated cylinders respectively connected with saidframe, said pair of cylinders each having a piston respectivelyconnected with each said punch head body.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 in which said horizontally movingmeans includes:

a fluid operated main cylinder connected with said frame and having apiston connected with said pressure head opposite its T-shaped slot.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 and further including:

control means for operating said pair of cylinders and said maincylinder in a predetermined sequence, said control means including aplurality of solenoid operated valves individually connecting a sourceof fluid under pressure with each said cylinder;

an electrical circuit connecting a source of electrical energy with thesolenoids of said valves; and,

a plurality of limit switches interposed in said circuit and beingopened and closed by the respective direction of movement of said firstand second punch head means and said pressure head means.

I t l

1. An apparatus for punching the flanges of an elongated structuralI-beam having its web horizontally disposed and being arranged formovement lengthwise in a horizontal travel path, comprising: meansdefining a punching station including a main frame having side wallsurfaces normal to the travel path and having a top and a bottom edgesurface, said frame extending transversely of the travel path and havinga transverse aperture characterized by an intermediate throat portionpartially describing and surrounding an intermediate portion of anI-beam workpiece, said frame having a through slot extending between itstop and bottom edge surfaces and between its side wall surfaces inintersecting relation with respect to one end portion of the transverseaperture and an adjacent portion of the aperture throat; first andsecond punch head means slidably supported by said frame within thethrough slot for vertical movement toward and away from each other in aplane normal to the travel path, said first and second punch head meanscomprising, a U-shaped punch head body with the legs defining therespective U-shape projecting toward each other on opposite sides of thehorizontal plane of the I-beam web and being respectively disposed onopposite sides of the I-beam flange to be punched, one leg of eachU-shaped punch head being slidably supported, against movement in thesame plane in a direction away from the other leg of the respectiveU-shape, by that portion of the through slot intersecting the aperturethroat forming portion of said frame, and a gauge rod adjustablYconnected to and movable with each said punch head body; punch assemblymeans including a punch die supported by the end portion of the leg ofeach said first and second punch head means disposed adjacent the web ofan I-beam workpiece, one end of said gauge rod projecting toward theadjacent surface of an I-beam web disposed in the travel path fordisposing the respective punch die a predetermined distance from a planedefining the web center of an I-beam workpiece, said frame having atransverse slot in one end intersecting the through slot; pressure headmeans slidably supported by said frame within the transverse slot forhorizontal movement in a direction transverse to the travel path towardand away from said punch head means; means for vertically moving saidfirst and second punch head means toward and away from each other; and,means for horizontally moving said pressure head means.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which said punch assembly means furtherincludes: a punch slidably supported by said other leg of each saidpunch head body coaxial with respect to the respective punch die formovement toward and away from the respective said punch die in responseto movement of said pressure head toward and away from the travel path.3. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said pressure head isprovided with a T-shaped slot in its end portion facing the travel pathfor slidably receiving the adjacent end portion of the respective saidpunch and permitting movement of said punches into and out of theT-shaped slot in response to movement of said first and second punchhead means toward and away from the travel path.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 3 in which said vertically moving means includes: apair of fluid operated cylinders respectively connected with said frame,said pair of cylinders each having a piston respectively connected witheach said punch head body.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 inwhich said horizontally moving means includes: a fluid operated maincylinder connected with said frame and having a piston connected withsaid pressure head opposite its T-shaped slot.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 5 and further including: control means for operatingsaid pair of cylinders and said main cylinder in a predeterminedsequence, said control means including a plurality of solenoid operatedvalves individually connecting a source of fluid under pressure witheach said cylinder; an electrical circuit connecting a source ofelectrical energy with the solenoids of said valves; and, a plurality oflimit switches interposed in said circuit and being opened and closed bythe respective direction of movement of said first and second punch headmeans and said pressure head means.